Countywide Focus

Assembly Backs Plan for Waste Authority

A bill that would give Ventura County the power to consolidate the county's three trash agencies into one was approved by the state Assembly Thursday by a vote of 69 to 2.

However, local officials said they are frustrated by major changes in the legislation that strip the proposed waste authority of its ability to set rates, control the flow of trash and stipulate liability.

But they were optimistic that those powers could be added back in on the local level.

"We've all put a lot of time into this and we're committed to making it work," said Nina Shelley, a county waste commissioner and Ojai City Council member.

Sponsored by state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), the legislation represents the culmination of two years of wrangling by city and county officials to come up with a plan to reduce the flow of trash into area landfills, as required by state law.

The bill is scheduled for final consideration by the state Senate today.